Michail Antonio says Liverpool have a player who will shock people in the Champions League this season
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Liverpool’s Champions League campaign gets underway on Wednesday as they host Atletico Madrid.
The Reds have made the perfect start to the Premier League season, and they will be hoping to do exactly the same in Europe.
After winning the title last season, Liverpool will be desperate to get their hands on another Champions League trophy, especially after the way they exited the competition last season.
They lost on penalties to the eventual winners, PSG, something that is nothing really to be ashamed of, even if it will have frustrated Arne Slot.
There is certainly pressure on them to deliver after spending so heavily in the transfer market, but Michail Antonio believes that a player who was already at the club could help them massively if they are to win it.
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The Reds are expected to play a lot of games this season as they are the favourites for most competitions, and this means Slot will need to be able to rely on his squad depth.
This could be the difference between winning and losing, so bit-part players need to be ready to come on and take games by the scruff of the neck.
One player who has done just that when given the chance is 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, with the winger making an impact every time he has entered the pitch.
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In fact, he has been so impressive that Slot included him in his Champions League squad ahead of Federico Chiesa, a very bold decision given his lack of experience.
Antonio seems to agree with the Liverpool boss, though, as the former West Ham striker has backed him to become the breakout star of this season’s edition of the competition.
The ex-footballer-turned-pundit picked the youngster for this category during a TikTok video for TNTsports, with no hesitation too.
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Michail Antonio gives us his UEFA competition predictions for the upcoming season ?
? original sound – TNT Sports Football
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It is certainly a bold shout but as he will very likely get minutes here and there, it is not a totally outrageous take, at least that is what Reds fans would say.
Cody Gakpo has started every game so far on the left-wing, but this is not sustainable across the entire season, meaning Ngumoha will get his chance, and when he does, it would be no surprise to see him take it.
Although they are very different players, the arrival of Alexander Isak could have a big impact on how many minutes Ngumoha gets going forward.
With the Swede almost certain to play the number nine role as his shirt suggests, that would push Hugo Ekitike out of the team unless Slot changes formation.
But with the Frenchman being so impressive since joining the club, as well as being able to play on the left-wing, it would be no surprise to see him start a few games from out wide.
This means Ngumoha would be even more limited with the chances he gets, at least starting that is, proving how Isak might have impacted his development ever so slightly.